Steering control for remote control toys



July 22, 1969 B. E. GRAVES STEERING CONTROL FOR REMOTE CONTROL TOYSFiled Jan. 18, 1967 INVENTOR BRYAN E GRAVES ATTORNEY Unite States PatentO 3,456,753 STEERING CONTROL FOR REMOTE CONTROL TOYS Bryan E. Graves,Indianapolis, Ind., assignor to Unipak, Inc., Indianapolis, Ind., acorporation of Indiana Filed Jan. 18. 1967, Ser. No. 610,076 Int. Cl.B62d 1/24; A63h 17/36 US. Cl. 18098 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThis invention relates to steering control mechanisms for remotelycontrolled toy vehicles, such as boats, cars, planes and the like. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a unitary steering controlassembly which can be quickly attached to or detached from a toy forsteering the toy responsive to radio signals.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention resides in the toy field,especially in the toy vehicle field.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The prior art known to the inventorcomprises fairly complex and expensive mechanisms utilizing motors,escapements and/or solenoids for effecting directional remote control orwherein complicated coding systems or resonant tones, or difieringtransmission frequencies are utilized for controlling left and rightsteering.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the drawbacksof complexity, expense and functional unreliability of the prior art byproviding a relatively simple mechanical unit which can be attached totoys and wherein said unit comprises a small electric motor, which, whenenergized under control of a radio signal receiver carried by the toy,effects left or right steering with use of a single transmittedfrequency. Control of the direction in which the toy is desired toproceed is effected by energization of the motor upon signaltransmission to the toy and by deenergization when it is observed thatthe toy is proceeding in the desired direction. Thus a revolving cammember is actuated by the motor and arranged to engage sequentially witha pair of cam followers. Engagement with one follower effects steeringin one direction by shifting of that follower and engagement with theother follower effects steering in another direction. The cam member re-WOIVCS in a single direction, and is biased to a central position withrespect to the cam followers when the vehicle is proceeding straightahead. However, when the motor is energized responsive to signal, therevolving of the cam member first causes steering in one direction byengagement with a respective cam follower and, if that is the directiondesired as determined by visual observation of the toy, then the signalis cut off at the transmitter by the operator, the toy continuing tosteer in the aforementioned direction. If, however, the aforementioneddirection is not the desired direction, then the operator continues totransmit the signal until the cam member moves past the engaged camfollower and abuts the other cam follower causing steering in anotherdirection. Inasmuch as the movement of the cam member requires onlyabout a half a second from beginning to end of engagement with any camfollowe-r, it will be apparent that an initially undesired direction ofsteering will be of very brief duration and compensation therefor begunin less than two seconds by permitting the cam member to continuerevolving until it engages and actuates the ice cam followercorresponding to the desired direction of steering, at which time themotor is de-energized by cessation of the signal when the operatorobserves that the toy is moving in the desired direction.

When the toy has steered to a desired degree the operator againenergizes the motor for a brief period of a second or so in order todisengage the cam from the follower whereupon the cam follower is movedunde-r bias to a neutral or straight ahead steering position.

It will thus be noted from the above that the invention accomplishes itsobjects of simplicity of structure, simplicity of operation, economy ofmanufacture and reliability in functioning.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from thedisclosure to follow, including the construction of all parts of themechanism so as to be readily secured to a toy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of the mechanismof the invention showing the motor driving a gear reduction arrangementfor effecting revolving of a cam member, the cam follower plate beingremoved for clarity;

FIG. 2 is likewise a plan view showing the mechanism with the camfollower plate in place over the mechanism as it would be in the courseof operation;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view looking in the direction 33 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a modification of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred embodiment is asshown in FIGS. 13 and comprises a pair of spaced support plates 10 and12, an upper and lower plate, respectively, which are maintained spacedby column members 15 suitably secured to the plates. An electric motor Mis carried on the bottom plate, being suitably secured thereto in anyknown manner.

The motor is controlled by radio signals which effect energization bytransmission, current being from batteries, all as symbolized in FIG. 1.Extending between the plates is a shaft 22 which is part of thereduction gear train G that couples the motor pinion 25 to a revolvingcam member, such as a cam finger or pin 28. Any suitable reductiongearing may be utilized for the purpose, but, in the present instance,the pin 28 is conveniently carried by a gear 32, the final driven gearin the train, on shaft 22.

Gear 32 rotates at uniform angular velocity continually when the motoris energized at a contemplated rate of 30 rpm, or, one rotation in twoseconds. The motor is geared down via the train consisting of pinion 25,crown gear 35 and coaxial pinion 38, gear 42 and pinion 45, and gear 32,in a completely conventional and well understood manner, the severalgears and pinions being supported on shafts journaled in the plates asshown. It will, of course, be understood that any suitable reductiongearing may be utilized, for example, worm gearing or a belt and pulleysystem of positive drive type. A cam follower plate 50 is provided witha cut-out 53 comprising cut-out areas 53a and 53b, each of whichprovides a clearance for rotation of the cam pin. The cutout provides apair of cam follower edges 56 and 59 engageable sequentially by cam pin28 as it revolves clockwise in the direction indicated.

The cam plate has a pair of integral extending arms 62 and 65 which arepivotally supported on steering links, such as 63, of a toy vehicle; forexample, a toy automobile wherein the wheel 71 is shown as exemplary.Thus, the cam plate is supported independently of the unitary steeringcontrol mechanism on steering links, such as 63, and is maintained in aneutral or straight ahead steering position by biasing means, such asthe spring 74, which is fastened to the plate at one end and will beunderstood to be suitably fastened at its other end to the vehicle, asindicated by the ground symbol.

From the above, it will be apparent that the unitary mechanism may besuitably fastened to the vehicle as by screws or bolts through holessuch as 77 through the bottom plate and in such position that the pm 28will protrude through the cut-out either in area 53a or 53b so that whenit starts to revolve it will engage the ensuing cam follower edge 56 or59. In FIG. 2 the cam pin is about to engage cam follower edge 56.

The follower edges 56 and 59 will be engaged by the revolving cam pineach for a distance of 90 of rotation of the pin. When the pin escapespast a corner such as 76, the cam plate will snap to the neutralposition shown by virtue of the spring bias. However, by engagement withfollower edge 56 the cam pin will shift the cam plate to the right(upward on FIG. 2) thereby causing the vehicle to steer in thatdirection for a period of half a second. If the operator desiresright-hand steering, he merely cuts off the signal to the radio receiverwhen he observes that the vehicle is steering to the right. This leavesthe cam pin somewhere in its traverse on cam follower edge 56 and holdsthe cam plate in shifted position. The vehicle will then continuouslysteer to the right going in a circle, if that maneuver is desired. Onthe other hand, if the operator wishes left-hand steering, he maintainsthe motor energized until the half second period of right-hand steeringis over and continues to keep the motor energized when the vehiclestraightens out for the next half second, during the course of which thepin traverses the empty space 53a of the cut-out. After such halfsecond, the pin engages the cam follower edge 59 shifting the cam plateto the left (downward on FIG. 2) and the operator visibly observes thatthe vehicle is now steering to the left whereupon he cuts off radiotransmission for as long as he wishes the vehicle to maintain leftwardsteering. In the event that the radio transmission is not cut off, themotor remains energized and pin 28 escapes past corner 78 and into theclearance area 53b. Cam plate is then automatically shifted back toneutral or straight ahead position by the 'bias spring 74.

While the cut-out areas 76 and 78 have been shown as square orrectangular, it will be appreciated, of course, that they may be of anyshape just so long as they provide suitable escape clearance for the campin.

It will be apparent from the above description that.

the steering control is rugged, simple, and economical and, further, itis not limited to left or right steering but could, in fact, be used foraltitude control of airplanes by coupling the cam plate to ailerons andelevator flaps. It will further be apparent that the cam plate may beshiftably secured in any manner as a matter of choice and design in anytype of toy vehicle. Inasmuch as the degree of shifting, that is,reciprocation, is quite small, suitable looseness may be designed in thesupport so that there will be no binding due to the rocking connectionthat the cam plate has with links and levers. For example, the pivotscrew 79 may be supplanted by other connection means. However, in thearrangement shown in FIG. 2, the plate can be permitted to shift bodilyin a transverse direction, toward or away from the motor in order tocompensate for the varying pivotal position of steering links 63. Suchtransverse shifting is exceedingly small and of negligible consequence.The significant factor is that the unitary mechanism, as represented inFIGS. 13, may be applied to the vehicle or readily removed therefromwithout having to remove the cam plate.

It will further be appreciated that the principle of the invention maybe utilized to effect directional control for more than two directionsby simply providing a cut-out having several cam edges disposed to besequentially engaged by a revolving cam pin.

A modified arrangement is shown in the plan view of FIG. 4 wherein themotor M will be understood to be radio receiver controlled and operatedthrough a reduction gearing of any suitable kind, as indicated by G, torotate a disk 80 which carries a cam pin 83 engageable sequentially withpivotal levers 86 and 89. Thus, the levers and other elements as well asthe disk 80 may be mounted on a baseboard B, the lever 86 being pivotedat 92 and the lever 89 being pivoted at 95. Biasing springs, such as 98,secured to the lever ends and to the baseboard in any suitable manner,maintain a neutral position of the respective levers. Each lever hassecured thereto a push rod such as 102, which may be a wire, and it willbe understood that such rods are secured at their outer ends (not shown)to any steering linkages, etc., that are to be controlled.

The operation of the modification of FIG. 4 will be apparent, in thatwhen motor M is energized pursuant to signal, cam pin 83 will rock lever86 to effect a directional steering function and maintenance ofenergization of the motor will cause the cam pin to disengage lever 86and, shortly thereafter, engage lever 89 to effect a differentdirectional control function. The mode of control is by visualobservation of the vehicle and the manner of controlling selecteddirections is precisely as heretofore explained in connection with FIGS.1-3.

It will, of course, be understood that the lever lengths and positioningis such as to permit engagement with either lever for about a 90traverse of pin 83.

Although the form shown in FIG. 4 requires a bias means to return thelevers from a rocked position, it will be appreciated that in the formshown in FIGS. 1-3, the cam pin itself is capable of performing thatfunction in event of failure of the bias means. Thus, the revolving campin will leave one cam follower edge and about onehalf second later abutthe other edge, shifting the cam plate in the opposite direction. Thecam follower edges are made arcuate for smoothness of engagement contactand disposed to provide about a 25 turning of vehicle wheels or ruddersof boats, etc., which will be understood to be a matter of choice anddesign. In any event, it will be apparent that the control unit mayreadily be removed from, say, a toy car and secured in a toy boat, andvice versa, each toy being provided with a cam follower plate that staysin place in the respective toy.

What is claimed is:

1. A steering control mechanism comprising:

(a) a motor and motor control means for maintaining said motoruninterruptedly and continuously operable in a single direction for aselectively determined length of time dependent upon desired directionof steering;

(b) a steering control drive member operatively connected so as to beactuatable by said motor in single direction;

(c) a driven means disposed to be driven by said steering control drivemember in sequentially differing directions when said steering controldrive member is actuated in a single direction;

((1) and steering connection means actuatable by said driven means toeffect steering sequentially in differing directions while said steeringcontrol drive member is being actuated in a single direction whereby aselected direction is effected without interruption ofmotor operation,including means for moving said driven means to predetermined initialposition when not being affected by said drive member.

2. A steering mechanism as set forth in claim 1,

(a) said steering control drive member comprising a revolving abutmentmember,

(b) said driven means comprising elements sequentially abuttable by saidabutment member as said abutment member revolves.

3. A mechanism as set forth in claim 2,

(a) said revolving abutment member effecting a continuous unidirectional360 traverse in a predetermined time at uniform angular speed,

(b) and said elements each being disposed to effect a respectiveactuation of said steering connection means during substantially 90 oftravel of said steering control member.

4. A mechanism as set forth in claim 3,

(a) said revolving abutment member comprising a cam (b said elementscomprising pivotally mounted levers disposed to be sequentially rockedby said cam pin, (0) and bias means for biasing said cam levers to aninitial position in the path of said cam pin.

5. A steering mechanism as set forth in claim 1,

(a) said steering control drive member comprising a revolving abutmentmember,

(b) said driven means comprising a cam plate having cam followersdisposed in the path of revolution of said revolving abutment member soas to be engaged thereby to effect shifting thereof in sequentiallydiffering directions.

6. A steering mechanism as set forth in claim 5,

(a) said cam plate having a cut-out area and said cam followers beingcamming edges thereof,

(b) said revolving abutment member being disposed to revolveunidirectionally within said cut-out area and engaging said cammingedges in continuous sequence,

(c) wherein said camming edges are oriented for reversible shifting ofsaid camming plate.

7. In a steering mechanism as set forth in claim 6,

(a) said steering connection means comprising arm means extending fromsaid cam plate, and

(b) means for effecting pivotal connection of said arm means withsupporting linkage means for supporting said cam plate independently ofsaid motor and said rotating abutment element.

8. A steering mechanism as set forth in claim 5,

(a) and means for securing said cam plate to a vehicle whereby said camplate is supported by said vehicle independently of said motor and saidrevolving abutment member.

9. A steering mechanism as set forth in claim 5,

(a) said steering connection means comprising arm means extending fromsaid cam plate, and

(b) means for effecting pivotal connection of said arm means withsteering linkage means for supporting said cam plate independently ofsaid motor and said rotating abutment element.

10. A steering control as set forth in claim 1,

(a) means for securing said motor and said steering control drive memberas an integral unit for unitary attachment to a vehicle,

(b) said steering control drive member comprising a cam pinunidirectionally revolved by said motor,

(c) said driven means comprising a cam plate having cam followerssequentially engageable by said cam pin and being oriented so as toeffect shifting of said cam plate in respective differing directionsupon being engaged by said cam pin,

(d) and means for securing said cam plate to a vehicle independently ofsaid unit and in position whereby said cam pin is engageable with saidcam followers when said unit is secured to said vehicle.

11. A steering control mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidinitial position corresponds to a straight ahead steering position,including means whereby the motor control means functions at the will ofan operator.

12. A steering control mechanism as set forth in claim 11, said drivemember comprising a cam rotated by said motor, and said driven meanscomprising a member having a pair of cam followers spaced to besequentially engaged by said cam to effect steering in respectivedirections; and position return means for moving said driven means tosaid initial position when said cam is not in engagement with one ofsaid cam followers.

13. A steering control mechanism as set forth in claim 1, includingmeans whereby the motor control means functions at the will of anoperator.

14. A remotely controlled steering mechanism for the steering device ofa vehicle, comprising a signal transmitter remote from said vehicle fortransmitting signal wave impulses, a receiver on said vehicle forreceiving said impulses, a motor having a drive element for rotatingabout a fixed motor axis and controlled by said receiver, said receiverupon receiving the transmitted impulses energizing said motor, saiddrive element rotating continuously and unobstructed in one direction aslong as said motor remains energized, a steering control drive memberdriven in a given direction by said drive element, means driven by saidsteering control drive member in sequentially opposite directions whensaid steering control drive member is driven in said given direction,other means connecting said last mentioned means with the vehiclesteering device whereby said steering device is steered sequentially inopposite directions while said steering control drive member is beingactuated in said given direction to effectuate a selected direction ofsteering without interruption of the operation of said motor.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS A. HARRY LEVY, Primary ExaminerU.S. C1. X.R.

